Method and system for imaging a cell sample

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and methods are described for use with a sample that includes a plurality of red blood cells. A series of images associated with a series of depth levels of the sample are acquired, by performing a depth scan of the sample with a microscope. One of the depth levels is identified as being an optimum focal plane for imaging one or more entities within the sample using the microscope, by identifying that a drop in image contrast occurs at the identified depth level. The sample is imaged using the microscope, by focusing the microscope at an investigative depth level that is based on the identified depth level. Other applications are also described.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/232,124 to Greenfield et al. (published as US 2019/0130567), filed Dec. 26, 2018, entitled “Method and system for imaging a cell sample,” which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/285,672 to Greenfield et al. (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,176,565), filed May 23, 2014, entitled “Method and system for imaging a cell sample,” which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/826,718 to Greenfield et al., filed May 23, 2013, entitled “Method and system for imaging a cell sample.”

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of microscopy. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a system and method for imaging cell samples using a digital microscope.

BACKGROUND

Observation of a sample with a microscope generally requires three dimensional adjustment of focus. Indeed, imaging a specific zone of a sample to be investigated (also referred to as investigation zone) may require both alignment of the investigation zone on an optical axis of the microscope (also referred to as XY-positioning) and superposition of the investigation zone with a focus plane of the microscope (also referred to as Z-positioning). These adjustments may be performed automatically using an autofocus system cooperating with the microscope.

Autofocus systems relative to the Z-positioning may perform a depth scanning of the sample over a scanning depth interval by varying a distance between the focus plane of the microscope and a movable carrier intended to receive the sample and thereafter compute a focus function for the images captured while scanning the sample in depth. Numerous functions which are expected to be at a maximum when the image reaches a highest level of sharpness or contrast have been proposed in the literature for focusing optical instruments because proper focus intuitively relates to image sharpness and/or contrast. For example, such functions involve determination of standard deviation, absolute-value deviation from a mean, entropy and differentials (gradient or Laplacian) of an image area. FIG. 1 illustrates a typical focus curve representing variations of such function with the position of the focus plane along the Z axis (optical axis) which may be obtained by carrying out such classical methods on a sample wherein a selected investigation level Z_(inv) is derived by the position corresponding to the maximum of the function.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Applicant has found a new and useful method and system for determining a reference depth level within a cell sample and imaging a cell sample.

The present disclosure provides a method of determining a reference depth level within a cell sample. The method comprises obtaining data representative of a series of images captured by performing a depth scan of the cell sample using a digital microscope, the series of images being associated with a series of depth levels of the cell sample, processing said data for detecting at least one depth level corresponding to a drop in image contrast; and identifying the detected depth level as the reference depth level.

In some embodiments, the detected depth level is such that image contrast at the detected depth level is lower than image contrast associated with a depth level immediately preceding the detected depth level in the series of depth levels and lower than image contrast associated with a depth level immediately following the detected depth level in the series of depth levels.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises determining a deepness of the drop in image contrast.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises obtaining data representative of an additional series of images associated with an additional series of depth levels and a scanning depth interval of the additional series of images is wider than a scanning depth interval of the series of images.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises determining for the series of images a deepness of the drop in image contrast and the obtaining of data representative of an additional series of images is performed when the deepness of the drop is below a predetermined deepness threshold.

In some embodiments, a plurality of drops in image contrast are detected and the method further comprises identifying the depth level corresponding to the deepest drop as the reference depth level.

In some embodiments, processing the series of images comprises computing, for each image, a contrast related value enabling to derive the image contrast of each image.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises calculating image contrast using a contrast function increasing with the image contrast and wherein detecting at least one depth level corresponding to a drop in image contrast comprises detecting a well in a contrast curve representing image contrast as a function of the depth level.

In some embodiments, the detected depth level corresponds to a bottom of the well in the contrast curve.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises determining the deepness of a well by: determining a right and left boundary depth levels at which the contrast function becomes inferior to the well bottom contrast; determining a right and left highest contrast values reached by the contrast function between the well bottom depth level and respectively the right and left boundary depth levels; and calculating the minimum of: a difference between the right highest contrast value and the well bottom contrast and a difference between the left highest contrast value and the well bottom contrast.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises calculating image contrast using a contrast function decreasing with the image contrast and wherein detecting at least one depth level corresponding to a drop in image contrast comprises detecting a roof of a contrast curve representing image contrast as a function of the depth level.

In some embodiments, the detected depth level corresponds to a top of the roof of the contrast curve.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises determining the deepness of a roof by: determining a right and left boundary depth levels at which the contrast function becomes superior to the rooftop contrast: determining a right and left lowest contrast values reached by the contrast function between the rooftop depth level and respectively the right and left boundary depth levels; and calculating the minimum of: the difference between the roof top contrast and the right lowest contrast value, and the difference between the rooftop contrast and the left lowest contrast value.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises obtaining one or more supplemental depths levels associated to supplemental contrast values by interpolating and/or extrapolating the contrast curve and wherein the reference depth level is one of the one or more supplemental depth levels.

In some embodiments, obtaining the series of images comprises scanning a scanning depth interval of the cell sample using a digital microscope.

In some embodiments, a first scanning depth and a second scanning depth are endpoints of the series of depth levels and the method further comprises verifying that a first distance between the reference depth level and the first scanning depth and/or a second distance between the reference depth level and the second scanning depth are respectively above a first and/or second predetermined threshold.

In some embodiments, a span of the series of depth levels is of 5 to 1000 micrometers.

In some embodiments, a span of the series of depth levels is less than 50 micrometers.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises determining an estimated reference depth level and wherein the series of depth levels covers the estimated reference depth level.

In some embodiments, image contrast is calculated by a contrast function decreasing with the image contrast and further comprising transforming the contrast function into an increasing function of the contrast.

The present disclosure further provides a method of imaging a cell sample using a microscope, comprising: determining a reference depth level according to the method previously described; and focusing the microscope at an investigation level based on the determined reference depth level.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises capturing one or more fluorescent lighting images of the cell sample.

In some embodiments, focusing the microscope at an investigation level further comprises shifting a focus plane of the digital microscope from the reference depth level by a predetermined value.

In some embodiments, the cell sample comprises predominantly red blood cells.

In some embodiments, the cell sample is essentially a monolayer of cells.

In some embodiments, the image contrast of an image is calculated from any of the following contrast functions: variance, standard deviation, sum of absolute-value of derivatives.

The present disclosure provides also an autofocus computation module for a digital microscope. The autofocus computation module comprises: an input unit configured for receiving from the digital microscope data representative of a series of images captured by performing a depth scan of the cell sample using a digital microscope, the series of images being associated with a series of depth levels of the cell sample; a calculation unit configured for processing said data for detecting at least one depth level corresponding to a drop in image contrast and identifying the detected depth level as the reference depth level; and an output unit for outputting data indicative of the reference depth level.

The present disclosure provides also an autofocus system for a digital microscope comprising: an autofocus adaptation module configured for commanding the digital microscope to vary a distance between a focus plane of the microscope and a sample carrier intended to receive a cell sample for performing a depth scan of the cell sample thereby providing a series of digital images associated with a set of distances between the focus plane and the sample carrier; the autofocus computation module previously described, wherein the input unit is configured for receiving said series of digital images and the output unit is configured for outputting data indicative of the reference depth level to the autofocus adaptation module.

In some embodiments, the autofocus adaptation module is further configured for commanding the digital microscope to set the focus plane at the reference depth level.

In some embodiments, the autofocus adaptation module is further configured to set the focus plane at an investigation level corresponding to the reference depth level shifted of a predetermined value.

The present disclosure provides also a microscope system comprising: an imaging module comprising an optical unit configured for forming a magnified image of a cell sample by conjugating a focus plane and an image plane; and an image sensor unit positioned in the image plane of the optical unit: a focus variation module capable of varying a distance between the focus plane and a sample carrier intended to receive the cell sample; the autofocus system previously described, the autofocus system cooperating with the focus variation module and the image sensor unit.

Further, it is understood that the term “well” is used to refer to a point or a region of a curve where the curve passes from decreasing (curving down) to increasing (curving up). It is understood that the term well refers to a drop of contrast. In the following, it is generally considered that contrast function is such that a drop of contrast between two images generates a drop in the contrast function values (i.e. the contrast function is an increasing function of the image contrast). However, it is noted that if the contrast function is a function decreasing with the contrast, a drop of contrast would generate an increase in the contrast function thereby turning a “well” into a “roof”. It will be appreciated that a decreasing function can be transformed into an increasing function of the contrast by multiplying said function by −1. Therefore, the present disclosure also applies to decreasing function of the contrast. It will also be appreciated that another way of applying the teaching of the present invention to a decreasing function of the contrast would be to determine a “roof” instead of a well for a decreasing contrast function of the contrast (i.e. contrast functions so that a drop of contrast generates an increase in the contrast function values), wherein the roof refers to a point or a region of the curve where the curve passes from increasing (curving up) to decreasing (curving down). However, since in the art most contrast functions are increasing with the contrast, the present disclosure refers generally without any limitation to a well.

Furthermore, it is noted that the term “bottom” of the well should be understood as the minimum point within a well and that the term “top of a roof” should be understood as a maximum point within a roof. It is also understood that the term “series” refers to an ordered set of values. In particular, the series of depth levels may be arranged in increasing or decreasing order.

It is also appreciated that the present disclosure also applies to functions which are usually classified in the art as representative of sharpness and that the expression “contrast function” should be understood as referring generally to contrast and/or sharpness function i.e. functions for assessing a contrast and/or sharpness of an image.

Furthermore, the term cooperation and its derivatives refer to an operative connection which may include communication between components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1, already described, illustrates a focus curve for determining an investigation level according to the prior art;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating steps of a method of imaging a cell sample according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates an image variance calculation according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates schematically a red blood cell under investigation according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates a focus curve obtained by depth scanning of a cell sample and computing of a focus function according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features, structures, characteristics, stages, methods, procedures, modules, components and systems, have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the specification discussions utilizing terms such as “processing”, “calculating”, “computing”, “determining”, “generating”, “configuring”, “selecting”, “defining”, or the like, include action and/or processes of a computer that manipulate and/or transform data into other data, said data represented as physical quantities, e.g. such as electronic quantities, and/or said data representing the physical objects. The terms “computer” and “processor” should be expansively construed to cover any kind of electronic device with data processing capabilities.

The operations in accordance with the teachings herein may be performed by a computer specially constructed for the desired purposes or by a general purpose computer specially configured for the desired purpose by a computer program stored in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. The term “non-transitory” is used herein to exclude transitory, propagating signals, but to otherwise include any volatile or non-volatile computer memory technology suitable to the application.

As used herein, the phrase “for example,” “such as”, “for instance” and variants thereof describe non-limiting embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter. Reference in the specification to “one case”, “some cases”, “other cases” or variants thereof means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment(s) is included in at least one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter. Thus the appearance of the phrase “one case”, “some cases”, “other cases” or variants thereof does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment(s).

It is appreciated that, unless specifically stated otherwise, certain features of the presently disclosed subject matter, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the presently disclosed subject matter, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

FIG. 2 illustrates generally steps of a method of imaging a cell sample according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The imaging method includes in a first stage, a method of determining a reference depth level within a cell sample and, in a second stage, focusing a digital microscope at an investigation level derived from the depth reference level. The method of determining a reference depth level may be carried out on a computing module. Advantageously, the computing module may belong to an autofocus system of the microscope. The step of focusing the microscope may be performed automatically upon command by the autofocus system. The cell sample may comprise red blood cells and may optionally be a cell monolayer comprising red blood cells.

In 100, a series of images (also referred to as a set of images) representative of light captured by focusing a digital microscope at a corresponding series of depths levels within the cell sample is obtained. It is understood that the term “obtain data representative of a series of images” encompasses both actual imaging of the cell sample to acquire the set of images (in-depth scanning) and respective data, and also loading/downloading from a computer storage media the data relating to a set of images preliminarily acquired by a digital microscope. In some embodiments, obtaining depth scan images comprises in-depth scanning of the cell sample with a digital microscope and obtaining the set of images can be carried out using an image sensor unit of the microscope connected with a computing module so as to provide the in-depth images (i.e. images captured during in-depth scanning) to the computing module. In some embodiments, in-depth scanning may be performed with brightfield illumination.

The set (series) of images may be understood as a series of slices of the cell sample corresponding to different positions along the Z axis (optical axis of the microscope). Each image may be associated with a depth level. Optionally one or more images are associated with depth levels within the cell sample that are above or below the cells in cell sample. Optionally one or more images are associated with depth levels that are above or below the cell sample. The set of images may result from an in-depth scanning of the cell sample. Such in-depth scanning may for example be carried out by varying a distance between a focus plane of the microscope and a sample carrier intended to accommodate the cell sample by methods well known in the art.

Further, the term depth level may be understood as a coordinate value along the optical axis of the microscope corresponding to a position that is optionally inside the cell sample. The actual direction of the axis and the origin of the axis to quantify depth may be arbitrarily chosen. The images may be obtained at any order, and may have an equal distance along the axis between pairs of consequent images or at a varying distance i.e. the in-depth scanning may be performed with a fixed step or with a variable step. For example, the origin of the axis may be positioned at an outer surface of the cell sample facing an objective of the microscope and the direction of the coordinate axis may be chosen so that the coordinates increase when progressing toward the cell sample. It is also understood that since the series of depth levels may be understood as an ordered set along the axis, it is possible to define endpoint depth levels (hereinafter referred to as endpoints) of the series of depth levels. In the following, the term scanning depth interval refers to a series of depth levels between two endpoints' depth levels. One endpoint level of a series of depth levels, for example a minimum depth level of the set, may be referred to as a first scanning depth levels and the other endpoint of the set, for example the maximum depth level, may be referred to as a second scanning depth level. In such case, the scanning depth interval refers to the depth levels comprised between the first and second scanning depth levels.

In some embodiments, an estimated reference depth level may be preliminarily provided. For example, the cell sample may comprise a plurality of fields to be investigated and reference depth levels determined for one or more previous fields may be used to estimate the estimated reference level for a subsequent field. In these embodiments, the scanning depth interval may be selected so as to cover the estimated depth reference level i.e. distances between the estimated depth reference level and the first and second scanning depth levels may be above a predetermined threshold. In some embodiments, a span of the depth scanning interval may be of around 5 micrometers to 1000 micrometers. In some embodiments, the span of the depth scanning interval may be between 150 and 250 micrometer, or less than 50 micrometers or even between 10 and 30 micrometers. Optionally, the estimated depth level is approximately in the midpoint of the span of the depth scanning interval.

In 200, the series of images and associated depth levels (or the data representative thereof) are processed for detecting at least one depth level corresponding to a drop in image contrast and the detected depth level is identified to be the reference depth level. The detected depth level may be such that an image contrast at the detected depth level is lower than the image contrast at immediately preceding and following the reference depth level (i.e. adjacent depth levels) in the series of depth levels. The drop in image contrast may be understood as a drop of image contrast over depth level (i.e. as a function of depth level). It is noted that when the contrast function used to calculate the image contrast is increasing with the contrast, 200 may be carried out by to detecting a well of a contrast curve representing image contrast as a function of depth level. Image contrast of an image may be provided by applying a contrast function to the image. A well is considered to be formed on the contrast curve when a contrast function value is inferior at least to the previous and subsequent adjacent contrast function values. In the following, some embodiments are described in which the image contrast is provided by the calculation of variance. It is understood that other functions can be contemplated to determine the contrast of an image. The set of images associated with the series of depth levels within the cell sample enables to analyze variations of an image parameter as a function of the depth level. In some embodiments, image variance may be computed for every image of the set of obtained images.

FIG. 3 illustrates image variance calculation on an example image I comprising n*p pixels (n, p integers) of pixel intensity I_(i,j) wherein 1≤i≤n and 1≤j≤p. The variance can be expressed as follows:

Var(I)=E[(I _(i,j) −E(I))²],

wherein E(I) is the mean value of the pixel intensity I_(i,j) over the example image.

In some embodiments, a variance related value may be computed for each image of the set of images. It is understood that the variance related value encompasses transformations of the image variance enabling to derive the image variance i.e. transformations equivalent to image variance calculation, for example standard deviation.

As explained above, the reference depth level may correspond to a minimum point within a well of the contrast curve (i.e. a local drop of contrast). The contrast curve may be defined as a curve representing the values of the contrast function (for example image variance) as a function of the Z-coordinate of the focus plane during the depth scanning. In some embodiments, the reference depth level may correspond to the Z-position of a minimum point within a deepest well of the contrast curve. As explained above, a well may also be defined as a point where the curve passes from decreasing to increasing. The processing for deriving the reference depth level may comprise detecting one or more minimum points within wells i.e. points of the contrast curve at which the contrast function value is inferior to both adjacent points i.e. the minimum point within the well is below the contrast function value of the previous and subsequent points.

The deepness of the well may also be determined for example in order to find the deepest well of the contrast curve or in order to proceed to another depth scan if the deepness of all the identified wells of the contrast curve are below a minimal deepness threshold.

Determining a deepness of a well may comprise determining the height of at least one wall of the well. In some embodiments, the height of a wall may be defined as the absolute value of a difference between the contrast function value at the minimum point within the well (well contrast value) and the contrast function value at the aperture of the well (or maximum point at the aperture of the well). The aperture of the well may be detected by comparing subsequent values of the focus function.

In some other embodiments, determining the deepness of the well may comprise (1) determining a right and left boundary depth levels at which the contrast function value becomes inferior to the well contrast value; (2) determining a right and left highest contrast function values reached by the focus function between the well depth level and respectively the right and left boundary depth levels and (3) calculating the minimum of the differences between the well contrast value and the right and left highest variance values, wherein the minimum is the deepness of the well. These embodiments can be regarded as basing the deepness of a well on the minimum amount needed to be climbed over the contrast curve to reach a lower contrast function value than the contrast function value at the considered well (well bottom contrast).

In some embodiments, the processing may further comprise a verification step comprising verifying that the deepness of the deepest detected well is above a predetermined threshold and may further include repeating the in-depth scanning with a wider span if the deepness of the deepest well is below said threshold.

In some cases, several local minima (wells) may be found for a set of images, in which case one of the minima is selected to define the reference depth level. Optionally this is performed as follows: The variance value for each minimum is compared with the variance values of adjacent portions of the curve, for example within a comparison range of ±5 micrometers from the depth level associated with the minimum. Based on this comparison, each minimum is associated with a “variance deepness value”. The variance deepness value is a function (e.g. ratio) between the variance value of the minimum point and the highest variance value associated any point of the curve within the comparison range. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the variance value of the minimum point 37 is V₃₇, and the variance deepness value is a function of V₃₇ and the variance value V₃₈ that is associated with the high point 38 (e.g. the variance deepness value equals V₃₇/V₃₈). Optionally, the reference point is defined as the minimum having the lowest variance deepness value.

If the comparison range comprises a low point that has a variance value that is equal to or lower than that of the local minimum for which a variance deepness value is calculated, the highest point that will be used for this calculation may be the highest point between the local minimum and the nearest additional low point in the comparison range.

Optionally, the variance deepness value must exceed a predetermined threshold for a local minimum to be selected. For example, if no minimum is found having a variance deepness value that is 0.9 or less, or even 0.8 or less, no reference depth level is defined. In such cases, 100 may be repeated such that a new series of depth scan images is obtained and a new minimum is found. Optionally, the first series of depth scan images corresponds with a first scanning depth interval and the second set of images corresponds with a second scanning depth interval being different than the first scanning depth interval. Optionally, the second scanning depth interval is larger than the first scanning depth interval. Optionally both the first and second scanning depth intervals cover the estimated reference depth level. Optionally the first scanning depth interval spans less than 50 micrometers, for example between 10 and 30 micrometers. Optionally, the second scanning depth intervals spans between 100 and 1000 micrometers, for example between 150 and 250 micrometers.

In a variant, detection of the depth reference level may be performed by searching for a lower bound of the contrast function on a restricted depth level interval. For example, the restricted interval may exclude a region near the endpoints of the depth scanning interval. Further, the processing may comprise detecting whether the depth reference level is sufficiently distant from the endpoints of the depth scanning interval. In some embodiments, detection of the reference depth level may comprise identifying two maxima depth levels at which the focus function reaches maxima (or roofs). In some embodiments, the two maxima may be detected as the points where the contrast function passes from increasing to decreasing. The reference depth level may be detected by searching for the lower bound of the focus function on the restricted interval consisting of the depth levels between the two identified maxima depth levels.

The well (or deepest well) may be reached for a given depth level of the series of depth levels. Alternatively, the reference depth level may be extrapolated or interpolated from the series of depth levels and associated images. For example, in a preliminary step, supplemental points may be interpolated and/or extrapolated on the contrast curve and one of these supplemental points may correspond to the well (or deepest well) of the contrast curve. For example, the supplemental points may be interpolated as being in-between two depth levels of the series of depth levels.

It is understood that implementation of the present disclosure does not require generation of the actual curve representing the variation of the contrast function over depth level but that a search for a well (or a roof if the contrast function is decreasing with the contrast) can be performed mathematically using the image representative data

In some embodiments, the cell sample may comprise predominantly red blood cells. In some embodiments, the cell sample may essentially be a monolayer of cells, wherein at least 80% of the cells or even at least 90% of the cells have direct contact with the surface on which the cell sample is held. In the context of imaging blood samples, the Applicant has found that the proposed method based on determining a reference depth level corresponding to a minimum of variance (contrast and/or sharpness) over the in-depth scanning may be particularly advantageous.

Indeed, the proposed method can be performed using brightfield illumination and provide with appropriate results for further investigation using fluorescent illumination. This may lead to reducing focus time because performing focus on fluorescent images is typically slower than when using brightfield, since obtaining fluorescent images typically requires longer exposure periods. Further, obtaining fluorescent images for focusing purpose may be problematic because fluorescent imaging is known to degrade the fluorescent response of the sample due to photo-bleaching.

In brightfield illumination of blood samples, the most visibly abundant object is generally red blood cells. Healthy red blood cells are characterized by a distinctive biconcave shape as schematically illustrated by FIG. 4 in which a blood cell 25 is depicted. Blood cell 25 may be characterized as having a midplane 27. The Applying contrast-based functions and/or sharpness based functions to brightfield microscopy of a blood sample containing mostly red blood cells (for example a blood sample) may yield graphs qualitatively similar to that shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 illustrates a curve representing variations of image variance (image contrast) over scanning depth level. The curve notably comprises a well 37 embraced between two maxima 38, 39 (in this example a saddle point which is a local minimum, but not an absolute one).

The Applicant found that the depth level corresponding to the well 37 provides an efficient reference level providing robust and consistent results across different microscope hardware including different forms of brightfield illumination and different forms of sample preparation (dry thin smears, wet smears and microfluidic preparation). Moreover, a focus position based on the well 37 position provides a baseline for epifluorescent imaging. The Applicant contemplates that the two maxima 38, 39 may be correlated to the bottom and top convex part 28, 29 of the blood cell previously illustrated on FIG. 4 and the well 37 (which is also a local minimum) may be correlated to the midplane 27.

Therefore, imaging at the reference depth level or in its vicinity may provide efficient parasite detection. The Applicant further found that the consistency of the focus generated by the proposed method of determining a minimum of the contrast function may be explained as follows: the maxima 38, 39 surrounding the well 37 typically fall within 1 micrometer of each other. Consequently, the well 37 is steep thereby causing discernible shifts in the contrast function even for shifts of depth level of about a tenth of a micron. It is appreciated that having a consistent reference level within a cell sample enables to establish reliable automated diagnosis.

In 300 of FIG. 2, the digital microscope may be focused at an investigation level based on the determined reference level. In some embodiments, the investigation level may be equal to the reference level. In some embodiments, the investigation level may be shifted by a predetermined value with respect to the reference level. For example, this value may be in the range of 0.2-3 micrometers, or about 1-2 micrometers or about 1.5 micrometer. In some embodiments, switching to an investigation level that is different than the reference depth value enables to increase the contrast and/or sharpness of the image while preserving the consistency provided by the aforementioned method of determining a reference depth level. As explained above, focusing the microscope at the investigation level may enable to investigate the cell sample. In some embodiments, the investigation may be carried out with fluorescent illumination and/or with brightfield illumination. In some embodiments, the investigation level will provide a sharp image (or even the sharpest and/or highest contrast image).

FIG. 6 illustrates a microscope system 1 for investigating a cell sample 2 in some embodiments of the present disclosure adapted to carry out the methods previously described. The microscope system 1 may comprise an imaging module 10, a focus variation module 20, a sample carrier 30 and an autofocus system 40.

The imaging module 10 may comprise an optical unit 11 and an image sensor unit 12. Optical unit 11 may be configured for forming a magnified image of a sample (for example cell sample 2) by conjugating a focus plane 111 and an image plane. The image sensor unit 12 may comprise an image sensor, for example a charge-coupled-device (CCD), complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) sensor, matrix sensor, positioned in the image plane of the optical unit 11 so as to sense the magnified image. The sensor image unit 11 may output digital images acquired to a screen display (not shown) and/or to the autofocus system 40.

The focus variation module 20 may be configured to vary a distance between the focus plane 111 of the optical unit 11 and the sample carrier 30. The focus variation module 20 may be operated manually or automatically via a mechanical interface which may for example modify the position of the sample carrier 30 along an optical axis Z of the optical unit 11. Further, the focus variation module 20 may be commanded by the autofocus system 40. For example, the focus variation module 20 may vary the distance between the sample carrier 30 and the focus plane by (1) modifying the position of the optical unit 11 along the optical axis Z, (2) modifying the position of the sample carrier 30 along the position of the optical axis Z, (3) modifying the position of the focus plane by for example changing a focal length of the optical unit 11, or a combination thereof.

The sample carrier 30 may comprise a plate or stage. The sample carrier 30 may be configured to accommodate the cell sample 2. The carrier may be any carrier known in the art for holding a biological sample. Optionally, the bottom surface of the carrier is essentially flat, to allow cells in contact therewith to be at about the same distance from the focal plane of the microscope. Examples include carrier slides, laboratory receptacles, dishes, plates, multi-well plates, test tubes (e.g. with a flat bottom), microfluidic cells and cartridges and the like.

Autofocus system 40 may comprise an autofocus computation module 41 and an autofocus adaption module 42. The autofocus computation module may be connected to the image sensor module 12 so as to receive images acquired by the imaging module 10. The autofocus adaptation module may be connected to the focus variation module 20 so as to be capable of commanding the focus variation module 20.

The autofocus adaptation module 42 may be configured for commanding a depth scanning of the cell sample 2. In order to do so, the autofocus adaptation module 42 may be configured for commanding the focus variation module 20 to set the focus plane of the optical unit 11 at a series of depth levels within the cell sample 2 so as to perform the depth scanning of the cell sample 2 between a first scanning depth level 201 and a second scanning depth level 202. Further, upon output of the reference depth level by the autofocus computing module 41, the autofocus adaptation module 42 may be further configured for commanding the focus variation module 20 to set the focus plane of the optical unit 11 at an investigation depth level. The investigation depth level may be the reference depth level or may be derived by shifting of a predetermined value the reference depth level.

The autofocus computation module 41 may be configured for implementing the method of determining a reference depth level described hereinabove and to output the reference depth level to the autofocus adaptation module 42. The autofocus computation module may comprise an input unit configured for receiving the set of in-depth images from the image sensor unit 12: a calculation unit configured for processing the set of images to derive a reference depth level corresponding to a well of a contrast curve representing an image contrast function of the depth level; and an output unit configured for outputting data indicative of the reference depth level. Upon receipt of the depth scan images by the image sensor unit 12, the calculation unit may process the set of images to derive the reference depth level. The image contrast may be defined by image variance or by other functions representative of the contrast and/or the sharpness of an image as described above. The determination of the reference depth level at which the image contrast drops (is at a minimum value within a well) may include computing for each depth scan image an image variance (or an image variance related value).

While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention. It will be appreciated that the embodiments described above are cited by way of example, and various features thereof and combinations of these features can be varied and modified.

While various embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention by such disclosure, but rather, it is intended to cover all modifications and alternate constructions falling within the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims. 

1. A method for use with a sample that includes a plurality of red blood cells, the method comprising: acquiring a series of images associated with a series of depth levels of the sample, by performing a depth scan of the sample with a microscope; identifying one of the depth levels as being an optimum focal plane for imaging one or more entities within the sample using the microscope, by identifying that a drop in image contrast occurs at the identified depth level; and imaging the sample using the microscope, by focusing the microscope at an investigative depth level that is based on the identified depth level.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein identifying one of the depth levels as the optimum focal plane comprises identifying that the identified depth level is such that image contrast at the identified depth level is lower than image contrast associated with a depth level immediately preceding the identified depth level in the series of depth levels and lower than image contrast associated with a depth level immediately following the identified depth level in the series of depth levels.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein detecting that the drop in image contrast occurs at the identified depth level comprises computing, for each image, a contrast related value that enables derivation of an image contrast for each image.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein acquiring the series of images associated with the series of depth levels of the sample comprises performing a depth scan of the sample, with the microscope, the depth scan spanning between 5 and 1000 micrometers.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein acquiring the series of images associated with the series of depth levels of the sample comprises performing a depth scan of the sample, with the microscope, the depth scan spanning less than 50 micrometers.
 6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising determining an estimated optimum focal plane, wherein acquiring the series of images associated with the series of depth levels of the sample comprises performing a depth scan of the sample, with the microscope, the depth scan covering the estimated optimum focal plane.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein identifying one of the depth levels as the optimum focal plane comprises: determining a variance deepness value associated with the depth level, the variance deepness value being a function of a variance-related value of the depth level, and a maximum of variance-related values associated with depth levels that are within a given range of distances from the depth level, and identifying the depth level as being the optimum focal plane at least partially based upon the variance deepness value associated with the depth level.
 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein identifying one of the depth levels as being the optimum focal plane comprises determining image variance values for depth levels within a given range of distances from the depth level.
 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein focusing the microscope at the investigative depth level further comprises shifting a focus plane of the microscope from the identified depth level by a predetermined value.
 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein identifying that the drop in image contrast occurs at the identified depth level comprises calculating image contrast using a contrast function selected from the group consisting of: variance, standard deviation, and sum of absolute-value of derivatives.
 11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising, prior to acquiring the series of images, allowing the sample to form a monolayer of red blood cells, wherein acquiring the series of images associated with the series of depth levels of the sample comprises acquiring the series of images of the sample the images, while the red blood cells are disposed within the monolayer.
 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein allowing the sample to form a monolayer of red blood cells comprises: introducing the sample into a carrier that is a closed cavity that includes a base surface; and allowing the cells to settle on the base surface of the carrier to form a monolayer of cells on the base surface of the carrier.
 13. The method according to claim 1, further comprising acquiring an additional series of images associated with an additional series of depth levels, wherein a scanning depth interval of the additional series of images is wider than a scanning depth interval of the series of images.
 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein acquiring the additional series of images associated with the additional series of depth levels comprises acquiring the additional series of images associated with the additional series of depth levels in response to a deepness of the drop in image contrast at the identified depth level being below a predetermined deepness threshold.
 15. The method according to claim 1, wherein: performing the depth scan of the sample with the microscope comprises performing the depth scan of the sample using the microscope, under a first illumination condition; identifying one of the depth levels as being the optimum focal plane for imaging the one or more entities within the sample using the microscope comprises identifying one of the depth levels as being an optimum focal plane for imaging the one or more entities within the sample using the microscope, under the first illumination condition; and imaging the sample using the microscope comprises imaging the sample under a second illumination condition that is different from the first illumination condition, using the microscope, by focusing the microscope at an investigative depth level that is based on the identified depth level.
 16. The method according to claim 15, wherein focusing the microscope at the investigative depth level that is based on the identified depth level further comprises shifting a focus plane of the microscope from the identified depth level by a predetermined value.
 17. The method according to claim 15, wherein: performing the depth scan of the sample using the microscope, under the first illumination condition comprises performing a depth scan of the sample using the microscope, under brightfield illumination conditions; identifying one of the depth levels as being the optimum focal plane for imaging the one or more entities within the sample using the microscope comprises identifying one of the depth levels as being an optimum focal plane for imaging the one or more entities within the sample using the microscope, under the brightfield illumination conditions; and imaging the sample using the microscope comprises imaging the sample under fluorescent lighting conditions, using the microscope, by focusing the microscope at an investigative depth level that is based on the identified depth level.
 18. Apparatus for use with sample that includes a plurality of red blood cells disposed within a sample carrier, the apparatus comprising: a digital microscope, configured to acquire a series of images associated with a series of depth levels of the sample, by performing a depth scan of the sample; and a computer processor comprising an autofocus computation module configured to: receive the series of images from the digital microscope; identify one of the depth levels as being an optimum focal plane for imaging one or more entities within the sample using the microscope, by identifying that a drop in image contrast occurs at the identified depth level; and command the digital microscope to acquire an investigative image of the sample while the focus plane of the digital microscope is set at an investigative depth level that is based upon the identified depth level.
 19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the autofocus computation module is configured to command the digital microscope to set the focus plane at an investigative depth level at which a focus plane of the microscope is shifted from the identified depth level by a predetermined value.
 20. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the autofocus computation module is configured to identify that the drop in image contrast occurs at the identified depth level by calculating image contrast using a contrast function selected from the group consisting of: variance, standard deviation, and sum of absolute-value of derivatives.
 21. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the microscope is configured to perform the depth scan of the sample while the red blood cells are disposed within a monolayer.
 22. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein: the digital microscope is configured to perform the depth scan of the sample by performing the depth scan of the sample, under a first illumination condition; the autofocus computation module is configured to identifying one of the depth levels as being the optimum focal plane for imaging the one or more entities within the sample using the microscope by identifying one of the depth levels as being an optimum focal plane for imaging the one or more entities within the sample using the microscope, under the first illumination condition; and the computer processor is configured to command the digital microscope to acquire the investigative image of the sample under a second illumination condition that is different from the first illumination condition, while the focus plane of the microscope is set at the investigative depth level that is based on the identified depth level.
 23. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein: the digital microscope is configured to perform the depth scan of the by performing the depth scan of the sample, under brightfield illumination conditions; the autofocus computation module is configured to identifying one of the depth levels as being the optimum focal plane for imaging the one or more entities within the sample using the microscope by identifying one of the depth levels as being an optimum focal plane for imaging the one or more entities within the sample using the microscope, under the brightfield illumination conditions; and the computer processor is configured to command the digital microscope to acquire the investigative image of the sample under fluorescent lighting conditions, while the focus plane of the microscope is set at the investigative depth level that is based on the identified depth level. 